first day in Zion National Park

We were going to go early into Zion, but Evelyn had some issues with getting up.  Some days she just can't do it and is an absolute weeping mess.  (Part to do with her brain not making enough dopamine and so she needs extra sleep). It just so happened that one of those days lined up with this day... So instead of getting in really early and starting with the river walk and Narrows trail, we drove to the Canyon overlook trail and started there.  There was one parking spot just for us, so it worked out perfectly.  We got going and I LOVED this hike.  It was so pretty and interesting. It didn't have a huge altitude change and no scrambling needed so it was perfect for this momma.

We didn't really need a break, but there was a cute little alcove and some rocks... so we took a water break and climbed around for a bit.

I got a panorama of the alcove.  Not a super amazing picture but it's a fun illustration of where we were.

Jer found a chipmunk friend.  It thought that just because we sat down with backpacks that we must have food.  Nope.  Sorry my friend.

Then we ate our lunch and headed to the visitor's center where we found a parking space and headed up on the shuttle to the river walk.  

Evelyn still wasn't in the mood for being a person.... so Sam decided to help her be in the mood.  Since she started Jr High, he's seemed much more in tune with her.  It's very sweet.

We got to the start of the narrows trail, switched shoes and decided to all do up across to the first bend. We put our feet in.  It was cold water, but we all started going.  Before even halfway across the river Evelyn was in tears (but bravely trying to cross anyways), Sam back tracked and I almost twisted my ankle twice even though I had two walking sticks.  I decided to wait with Sam and Evelyn while Jer took the other two... Seth said, "Well I want to go where ever mom wants to go." So Jer and Ada braved the cold water and went on up.  We ran into our neighbors, the Janotti family, while they were on their way back.  That was fun. While we were waiting for Jer and Ada, I tried to get the kids chatting, but Evelyn was still upset. (I've actually read that some people with ADHD have heightened aversion to certain textures and temperatures... so I can understand why super cold water would be worse for her.)  Seth said he needed to poop, so I took him and Evelyn to walk the mile back to the bathroom and left Sam to wait for Jer.  He's 14 so I didn't think anything of it until I was about 1/2 the way back to the bathroom.  Then I remembered that Sam tends to panic when people take longer than he thinks and there's a deadline... like the last shuttle leaving at 7:15.  We still had hours, but the fact that there is a hard deadline will usually make him have a little panic.  I said a little prayer, got Seth where he needed to be... we saw two mule deer and a cute tiny frog... then waited.  Seth made a tic tac toe with his hiking stick and Evelyn and I took turns playing him.  When the others got back, Sam had done okay.  He did panic a little, but he didn't lose it.  I'm so glad.  Ada and Jer went up to their chests in the water before they turned back.  They had so much fun.  They said they'll have to bring waterproof gear next time so that they can go farther. I felt pretty good about the day.  I only hiked about 5 miles, but my feet and hip weren't in pain and I felt like I could keep going if it weren't for the shuttle deadline.  Since it was Sunday we decided to head back, shower and eat the frozen pizza we bought the night before. I also decided that I like these kinds of hikes... that we can do part together and then those who want to can keep going.

My favorite Jeremy smile

My favorite Ada smile

 

Snow Canyon

I love the sand dunes... I did as a kid and still do as a mom.  I didn't know if we'd make it there this trip, but we ended up heading over there after the temple.  We set up our canopy and played.  

The kids were so happy to play with Jude.  He's such a cutie.

I think she feels like the sand like I do....

Two headed monster.

Long jump olympics.... I think Ada won.

They wanted to see just how much sand they could fit in his shirt.  I make my kids wear throw away clothes to the dunes.  Last time they had a sock fight and I had to throw away their stretched out socks... This time it was Sam's shirt.... At least they are the trash clothes.

After the dunes, we went swimming at the pool at the airbnb while we ordered in hamburgers.  The hot tub was the perfect temperature.  Jude was insistent that a certain rock had to be in the splash pad.  And I just wanted to chat.... but I did end up in the water too.

Jer took the kids into Jenny's canyon to scramble and play while I sat and chatted with Emily during Jude's nap.

 

St George Temple openhouse

For Fall break, we were able to get tickets to the St George temple openhouse.  I was so excited because it's such a big part of my and Jer's family histories.  The airbnb we got had enough space for 11 and we asked Jim and Judy to go because Judy grew up down there and this was the temple that she went to as a youth... and it was the temple that she and Jim were married in. Jay and Emily had been in Zion all week, so they stayed an extra day to go to the temple and hang out for a little while. I don't have many pictures with Jay or Emily, but it was fun to visit for a while.

When I was a teenager, my Ellis grandparents were temple workers here.  My grandpa was set apart as a sealer by President Hinckley. I remember coming to do baptisms for the dead several times with cousins.  The sky was always bright blue against the bright white of the temple.  One of the times that I was doing confirmations, my grandpa's hands were on my head one minute and the next he had stopped talking and his beautifully weird and wonderful hands were gone (he had long, strong and very curved fingers).  His sugar had dropped and he'd fainted.  Luckily my mom knew what to do and helped him.  

Judy told us a very personal story that she had that took place on the temple grounds when she was there for a youth conference.  I'm always grateful when our grandparents share their testimonies and experiences.  I also didn't know that one of Jeremy's great-great-great (maybe one more great) grandpa's had been a stone mason for this temple when it was built.

It was fun.  I ran into a friend of mine, Megan Burgin, while we were walking through the temple.  I love being able to share special events with friends and family. After the temple open house, Emily told us to try this bakery just a couple of blocks away.  It was delicious, but the lines were so long... between Fall Break, the temple open house, and a bike race finish line.... the bakery was busy.